Customizable footwear

ABSTRACT

Footwear comprising a sole portion; an upper portion secured to the sole portion; and a top portion secured to the upper portion through the use of a magnet included with the top portion and a magnet included with the upper portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward customizable footwear. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward customizable slide sandal style footwear. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward slide sandal style footwear having a sole portion and an upper portion wherein an interchangeable and customizable top portion is attached to the upper portion of the footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By way of introduction, a shoe typically includes a sole section and an upper section. The sole section includes an outsole or tread section, a midsole and an insole. The foot rests on the innersole and the outsole rests on the ground. The midsole is sandwiched between the innersole and the outsole. The uppers and outsole define the appearance of the shoe.

Footwear in the nature of a slide or a slide sandal typically may have a sole section and an upper section that has a strap or series of straps that cross the toes and lower half of the foot to hold the footwear in place. These straps may be typically affixed to the lateral sides of the outsole via an adhesive, or using a similarly permanent method.

This means that when a user purchases footwear such as slides, they do so knowing that the upper section and sole section are bonded together permanently and inextricably. However, many users prefer to be unique in their fashion choices and do not want to wear the same style clothing or shoes as everyone else. However, at the same time, many users do not have the monetary means to purchase similar looking clothes or shoes just to be different.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a slide sandal style shoe that provides a user with a simple means of customizing the upper portion of the shoe while also maintaining the structural integrity of the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear comprising: a sole portion; an upper portion secured to the sole portion; and a top portion secured to the upper portion through use of a magnet included with the top portion and a magnet included with the upper portion.

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein an upper surface of the upper portion includes the magnet and wherein a lower surface of the top portion includes the magnet.

In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein the entirety of the upper surface of the upper portion includes the magnet and wherein the entirety of the top portion includes the magnet.

In a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein the magnet of the upper portion is located in a position on the upper portion adjacent a lateral edge of the sole portion and wherein the magnet of the lower surface of the top portion is located along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.

In a fifth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein the upper surface of the upper portion additionally includes loop material and the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes hook material; and wherein the loop material is securable to the hook material.

In a sixth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein the upper surface of the upper portion additionally includes hook material and the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes loop material; and wherein the hook material is securable to the loop material.

In a seventh embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein the upper surface of the upper portion includes loop material and wherein the magnet of the upper portion is embedded within the loop material, wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes hook material and wherein the magnet of the top portion is embedded within the hook material.

In an eighth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein the embedded magnet of the upper portion is located in a position on the upper portion adjacent a lateral edge of the sole portion and wherein the embedded magnet of the top portion is located in a position along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.

In a ninth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein the upper surface of the upper portion includes hook material and wherein the magnet of the upper portion is embedded within the hook material, wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes loop material and wherein the magnet of the top portion is embedded within the loop material.

In a tenth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein the embedded magnet of the upper portion is located in a position on the upper portion adjacent a lateral edge of the sole portion and wherein the embedded magnet of the top portion is located in a position along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.

In a eleventh embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear as in any embodiment above, wherein an upper surface of the top portion includes colors, designs, and/or indicia.

In a twelfth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear top portion for attachment to a footwear upper portion comprising an upper surface including color, designs, and/or indicia and a lower surface including a magnet securable to a magnet included in the footwear upper portion.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear top portion as in any embodiment above, wherein the entirety of the top portion includes the magnet.

In a fourteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear top portion as in any embodiment above, wherein the magnet of the top portion is located along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.

In a fifteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear top portion as in any embodiment above, wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes hook material securable to a loop material in the footwear upper portion.

In a sixteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear top portion as in any embodiment above, wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes loop material securable to a hook material in the footwear upper portion.

In a seventeenth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear top portion as in any embodiment above, wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes hook material and wherein the magnet of the top portion is embedded within the hook material and wherein the embedded magnet is located in a position along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.

In an eighteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a footwear top portion as in any embodiment above, wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes loop material and wherein the magnet of the top portion is embedded within the loop material and wherein the embedded magnet is located in a position along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.

In a nineteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a kit comprising: a pair of footwear, wherein each footwear includes a sole portion and an upper portion secured to the sole portion; and a plurality of pairs of top portions, wherein each top portion of each pair of the plurality of pairs of top portions is secureable to an upper portion of a footwear of the pair of footwear through use of a magnet included with the top portion and a magnet included with the upper portion.

In a twentieth embodiment, the present invention provides a kit as in any embodiment above, wherein each top portion of the plurality of pairs of top portions each include an upper surface including color, designs, and/or indicia and wherein the pair of top portions can each have upper surfaces with the same color, designs, and/or indicia or different colors, designs, and/or indicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a customizable top portion of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shoe of the present invention having an upper portion adaptable to receive the customizable top portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of a customizable top portion of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shoe of the present invention having an upper portion adaptable to receive the customizable top portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of one embodiment of a customizable top portion of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shoe of the present invention having an upper portion adaptable to receive the customizable top portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of one embodiment of a customizable top portion of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shoe of the present invention having an upper portion adaptable to receive the customizable top portion of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is perspective view of a kit of the present invention including a pair of footwear and a plurality of pairs of top portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the number 10 generally indicates an embodiment of the customizable shoe made in accordance with the present invention. Shoe 10 generally includes a sole portion 12 and an upper portion 14. Upper portion 14 is permanently secured to sole portion 12 of shoe 10. Upper portion 14 is permanently secured to sole portion 12 through the use of securement means 16 selected from the group consisting of stitching or adhesives, and in yet other embodiments, upper portion 14 and sole portion 12 are one unitary piece of material. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 8, upper portion 14 is permanently secured to sole portion 12 through the use of stitches located on the lateral sides 18 a and 18 b of sole portion 12.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, sole portion 12 may be made of cloth, polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, leather, or combinations thereof. In one or more embodiments, upper portion 14 may be made of cloth, polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, leather, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a customizable top 20 of the present invention. Customizable top 20 has an upper side 22 and a lower side 24. As shown in FIG. 1, lower side 24 of customizable top 20 includes hook material 26 which has the ability to mate with loop material 28 located on an upper surface 30 of upper portion 14 as shown in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the loop material 28 could be positioned on the lower side 24 and the hook material 26 could be positioned on the upper surface 30. In one or more embodiments, customizable top 20 may be made of cloth, polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, leather, or combinations thereof.

Upper side 22 of customizable top 20 can come in a variety of different colors, can include a multitude of different indicia, such as, the logo of a sports team from all levels of competition, from grade school teams all the way to the highest levels of professional sports; in other embodiments upper side 22 can include the brand name of products or companies; in other embodiments upper side 22 can include political slogans; and in yet other embodiments upper side 22 can include popular sayings such as “Worlds Greatest Dad”.

Although in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 8 only a single shoe 10 is shown, a person of ordinary skill in the art understands that shoes are sold in pairs. Therefore, it is also contemplated that the upper side 22 for a left shoe 10 can include a first indicia, color, and/or design and the upper side 22 for a right shoe can include a second indicia, color, and/or design different from the first indicia. It is additionally contemplated that the indicia, color, and/or design on the upper side 22 for a right shoe can be the same as the indicia, color, and/or design on the upper side 22 for a left shoe.

The present invention is not limited by the color, design, or indicia located on upper side 22 of customizable top 20. The use of hook material 26 on lower side 24 of customizable top 20 and the use of loop material 28 on upper side of upper portion 14 allows for different customizable tops 20 to be utilized on upper portion 14 so as to give the user the ability to customize their shoes 10 by interchanging different customizable tops 20 onto the upper portions 14 of shoes 10.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a customizable top 120 of the present invention. Customizable top 120 has an upper side 122 and a lower side 124. As shown in FIG. 3, lower side 124 of customizable top 120 includes a magnet 126 which has the ability to mate with a magnet 128 located on an upper surface 30 of upper portion 14 as shown in FIG. 4. In one or more embodiments, customizable top 120 may be made of cloth, polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, leather, or combinations thereof.

Upper side 122 of customizable top 120 can include a variety of different colors, designs, or indicia, similar to upper side 22 of customizable top 20 as described above. Similar to upper side 22 of customizable top 20, the present invention is not limited by the color, design, or indicia located on upper side 122 of customizable top 120. The use of magnet 126 on lower side 124 of customizable top 120 and the use of magnet 128 on upper portion 14 allows for different customizable tops 120 to be utilized on upper portion 14 so as to give the user the ability to customize their shoes 10 by interchanging different customizable tops 120 onto the upper portions 14 of shoes 10.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a customizable top 220 of the present invention. Customizable top 220 has an upper side 222 and a lower side 224. As shown in FIG. 5, lower side 224 of customizable top 220 includes the use of hook material 226 which has the ability to mate with loop material 228 located on an upper surface 30 of upper portion 14 as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 5, lower side 224 of customizable top 220 also include the use of a magnet 232 located along an edge 233 a of the lower side 224 which has the ability to mate with a magnet 234 located along an edge of the upper surface 30 of upper portion 14 adjacent securement means 16 as shown in FIG. 6. In other embodiments, the loop material 228 could be positioned on the lower side 224 and the hook material 226 could be positioned on the upper surface 30. In one or more embodiments, customizable top 220 may be made of cloth, polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, leather, or combinations thereof.

Although customizable top 220 only shows the use of one magnet 232 located along the edge 233 a of the lower side 224, it is also contemplated that the one magnet 232 could be located along the edge 233 b of the lower side 224. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that a first magnet could be located along the edge 233 a and a second magnet could be located along the edge 233 b. Dependent upon the location and number of magnets utilized on the lower side of 224, the upper surface 30 of upper portion 10 will have magnets located in complementary positions.

The combination of both hook material 226 and loop material 228 along with magnet 232 and 234 provide customizable top 220 and shoe 10 with two means of securing customizable top 220 to shoe 10.

Upper side 222 of customizable top 220 can include a variety of different colors, designs, or indicia, similar to upper side 22 of customizable top 20 as described above. Similar to upper side 22 of customizable top 20, the present invention is not limited by the color, design, or indicia located on upper side 222 of customizable top 220. The use of the combination of both hook material 226 and loop material 228 along with magnet 232 and 234 allows for different customizable tops 220 to be utilized on upper portion 14 so as to give the user the ability to customize their shoes 10 by interchanging different customizable tops 220 onto the upper portions 14 of shoes 10.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a customizable top 320 of the present invention. Customizable top 320 has an upper side 322 and a lower side 324. As shown in FIG. 7, lower side 324 of customizable top 320 includes the use of hook material 326 which has the ability to mate with loop material 328 located on an upper surface 30 of upper portion 14 as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 7, lower side 324 of customizable top 320 also include the use of an embedded magnet 332 located adjacent an edge 333 a of the lower side 324 which has the ability to mate with an embedded magnet 334 located along an edge of the upper surface 30 of upper portion 14 adjacent securement means 16 as shown in FIG. 8. In other embodiments, the loop material 328 could be positioned on the lower side 324 and the hook material 326 could be positioned on the upper surface 30. In one or more embodiments, customizable top 320 may be made of cloth, polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, leather, or combinations thereof.

Although customizable top 320 only shows the use of one embedded magnet 332 located along the edge 333 a of the lower side 324, it is also contemplated that the one embedded magnet 332 could be located along the edge 333 b of the lower side 324. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that a first embedded magnet could be located along the edge 333 a and a second embedded magnet could be located along the edge 333 b. Dependent upon the location and number of magnets utilized on the lower side of 324, the upper surface 30 of upper portion 10 will have magnets located in complementary positions.

The combination of both hook material 326 and loop material 328 along with the embedded magnets 332 and 334 provide customizable top 320 and shoe 10 with two means of securing customizable top 320 to shoe 10.

Upper side 322 of customizable top 320 can include a variety of different colors, designs, or indicia, similar to upper side 22 of customizable top 20 as described above. Similar to upper side 22 of customizable top 20, the present invention is not limited by the color, design, or indicia located on upper side 322 of customizable top 320. The use of the combination of both hook material 326 and loop material 328 along with the embedded magnets 332 and 334 allows for different customizable tops 320 to be utilized on upper portion 14 so as to give the user the ability to customize their shoes 10 by interchanging different customizable tops 320 onto the upper portions 14 of shoes 10.

FIG. 9 shows a kit 100 that includes a pair of shoes 10 and a plurality of pairs of customizable tops 120. Although FIG. 9 shows a pair of shoes 10 including magnets 128 on the upper portions 14 of the shoes 10, it is noted that any combination of customizable tops and shoes 10 disclosed in the present invention may be utilized in the kit 100 of the present invention.

In light of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present invention significantly advances the art by providing customizable footwear that is structurally and functionally improved in a number of ways. While particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby inasmuch as variations on the invention herein will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention shall be appreciated from the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A footwear comprising: a sole portion; an upper portion secured to the sole portion; and a top portion secured to the upper portion through use of a magnet included with the top portion and a magnet included with the upper portion.
 2. The footwear of claim 1 wherein an upper surface of the upper portion includes the magnet and wherein a lower surface of the top portion includes the magnet.
 3. The footwear of claim 2 wherein the entirety of the upper surface of the upper portion includes the magnet and wherein the entirety of the top portion includes the magnet.
 4. The footwear of claim 2 wherein the magnet of the upper portion is located in a position on the upper portion adjacent a lateral edge of the sole portion and wherein the magnet of the lower surface of the top portion is located along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.
 5. The footwear of claim 4 wherein the upper surface of the upper portion additionally includes loop material and the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes hook material; and wherein the loop material is securable to the hook material.
 6. The footwear of claim 4 wherein the upper surface of the upper portion additionally includes hook material and the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes loop material; and wherein the hook material is securable to the loop material.
 7. The footwear of claim 2 wherein the upper surface of the upper portion includes loop material and wherein the magnet of the upper portion is embedded within the loop material, wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes hook material and wherein the magnet of the top portion is embedded within the hook material.
 8. The footwear of claim 7 wherein the embedded magnet of the upper portion is located in a position on the upper portion adjacent a lateral edge of the sole portion and wherein the embedded magnet of the top portion is located in a position along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.
 9. The footwear of claim 2 wherein the upper surface of the upper portion includes hook material and wherein the magnet of the upper portion is embedded within the hook material, wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes loop material and wherein the magnet of the top portion is embedded within the loop material.
 10. The footwear of claim 7 wherein the embedded magnet of the upper portion is located in a position on the upper portion adjacent a lateral edge of the sole portion and wherein the embedded magnet of the top portion is located in a position along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.
 11. The footwear of claim 1 wherein an upper surface of the top portion includes colors, designs, and/or indicia.
 12. A footwear top portion for attachment to a footwear upper portion comprising an upper surface including color, designs, and/or indicia and a lower surface including a magnet securable to a magnet included in the footwear upper portion.
 13. The footwear of claim 12 wherein the entirety of the top portion includes the magnet.
 14. The footwear of claim 12 wherein the magnet of the top portion is located along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.
 15. The footwear of claim 14 wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes hook material securable to a loop material in the footwear upper portion.
 16. The footwear of claim 4 wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes loop material securable to a hook material in the footwear upper portion.
 17. The footwear of claim 12 wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes hook material and wherein the magnet of the top portion is embedded within the hook material and wherein the embedded magnet is located in a position along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.
 18. The footwear of claim 12 wherein the lower surface of the top portion additionally includes loop material and wherein the magnet of the top portion is embedded within the loop material and wherein the embedded magnet is located in a position along a first edge of the lower surface of the top portion.
 19. A kit comprising: a pair of footwear, wherein each footwear includes a sole portion and an upper portion secured to the sole portion; and a plurality of pairs of top portions, wherein each top portion of each pair of the plurality of pairs of top portions is secureable to an upper portion of a footwear of the pair of footwear through use of a magnet included with the top portion and a magnet included with the upper portion.
 20. The kit of claim 19 wherein each top portion of the plurality of pairs of top portions each include an upper surface including color, designs, and/or indicia and wherein the pair of top portions can each have upper surfaces with the same color, designs, and/or indicia or different colors, designs, and/or indicia. 